The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), with its 12 Professional Boards under its ambit, is established to provide for control over the education, training and registration for practicing of health professions. The Council guides and regulates the health professions in the country in aspects pertaining to registration, education and training, professional conduct and ethical behaviour, ensuring continuing professional development, and fostering compliance with healthcare standards.

Mr Benjamin van Nugteren, an Emergency Care Practitioner and the Programme Manager working in the Department of Emergency Medical Care at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), was elected for a second term as a member of the Professional Board for Emergency Care (PBEC).

“It is truly a privilege to be re-elected to serve on the Professional Board. For many years now I have realized the importance of professionalism in the emergency care environment. I believe that my contribution on the Professional Board can advance this principle,” says van Nugteren

Mr van Nugteren commenced his employment at the University in 2009. He completed his National Diploma at the then Technikon Witwatersrand and subsequently completed his Baccalaureus Technologiae degree at UJ. He subsequently completed his Masters qualification at the University of Witwatersrand. After having worked as an operational flight paramedic in Johannesburg and Namibia he joined the education and training environment in 2007. Outside of his academic role, he serves as a flight paramedic for a regional air-ambulance provider based in Johannesburg.

He was first appointed to the Professional Board of Emergency Care in 2015.